Suddenly Chanticleer caught sight of an animal lying among the grass
by the side of the yard. It was Russel the fox, who had lived for
three years in the wood near by, and now had grown bold enough to
break through the hedge and make his way into the farmyard. The
moment Chanticleer saw him he jumped back in terror, quite forgetting
his song. It was the creature of his dream! The fox was ready to calm
his fear. He got up from the grass and advanced politely to
Chanticleer. "Do not be alarmed at my appearance," he said. "I have
come with the best intentions. I am, in fact, a friend of the family.
Both your father and mother spent some time in my house--to my great
satisfaction. I was listening to your singing. You have a marvellous
voice, and it is doubtless inherited. I remember your father had a
way of standing on his toes, shutting his eyes and stretching his
neck. When he did that his top notes were really wonderful. Do you do
the same?" Chanticleer was delighted with this flattery, and at once
began to crow his best, shutting his eyes and stretching his neck as
the fox had described. Then, as soon as his eyes were shut, the fox
sprang forward, caught him by the neck, threw him over his back and
was off to the wood. Alas! poor Chanticleer, what a fate is thine!
True are dreams and men should heed their warnings!

Would I had the tongue to curse that day! That star-cursed day, that
black Friday on which the noble Chanticleer was borne away by the
foul deceiver! The hens, in terror, set up such a clamour, cackling
and wailing, that out ran the widow and her daughters to see what was
the matter. Out came the neighbours, out the dogs, out the very cows
and pigs, and joined in the chase. All cry, "Out! harrow! Stop
thief!" Like fiends in hell they scream. The geese in fear fly over
the tree-tops, the swarming bees stream from their hive. Verily, not